LENEXA, KS, April 6, 2017 – Nearly 86% of inpatient rehabilitation professionals reported either “glitches” or “major holes” in their preparations for the FY 2017 Inpatient Rehab Facility Patient Assessment Instrument (IRF-PAI). The widespread problem was just one of the findings of the 2017 “IRF-PAI Impact Survey,” conducted by Mediware Information Systems, Inc., a leading developer of software for rehabilitation.

Changes to the IRF-PAI for FY 2017 more than doubled the length of the assessment and introduced new categories of questions. Before the changes were implemented, many IRFs wondered how their therapists’ productivity and reimbursement would be affected.

Mediware’s survey found that errors in data collection and claim submission led more than 73% of inpatient rehab providers to re-work some or as many as half of their cases. In addition, 70% said that data submissions have been delayed—nearly 26% reporting delays of several days.

The survey of IRF leaders from across the country was conducted shortly after the October 1, 2016 implementation of IRF-PAI 2017. Fewer than 20% of respondents gave more than 10 hours of training time to therapists and nurses. A little more than 16% gave 6 to 10 hours while the majority (nearly 62%) gave therapists just 2 to 5 hours of training time in preparation. With the high percentage of those reporting “glitches” or “major holes,” the time spent training for the massively overhauled assessment instrument may have been insufficient.

Learn how to defend your facility against future changes

Mediware is using the 2017 IRF survey data to equip its IRF clients with tools to better manage the current IRF-PAI and increase readiness for future updates. The survey is just one of the ways Mediware’s IRF team monitors changes proposed by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). The company’s new MediLinks IRF Management solution helps inpatient rehabilitation providers conform to new requirements with a tool that works alongside the facility’s electronic health record (EHR) system. more information about MediLinks for inpatient rehabilitation, visit www.mediware.com/rehabilitation/inpatient/.

About Mediware

Mediware is working to solve many of the key problems facing healthcare and human services. The U.S.-based company develops software for blood management, home care, physical rehabilitation, behavioral health, cellular therapy, and other medical specialties as well as government and private services for the aging, disabled, and homeless. The company’s rehabilitation solutions span the continuum of care, from acute settings to inpatient rehabilitation hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, outpatient departments, and private practices. For more information visit www.mediware.com.